Nelsen Says : Brad Is The Best

Ryan Nelsen has move to praise Brad Friedel and has highlighted how he feels he is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League following his latest super show against Manchester United.

Blackburn Rovers' consistent skipper reckons Friedel is the best anywhere, and has been for a number of years.

The massive American, 36, kept United out almost single-handedly on Saturday, pulling off a string of world class saves, particularly in the second half, to thwart Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez amongst others.

But rather than being surprised by Friedel's remarkable one-man show, Nelsen, like every other Blackburn fan, knows he and his team-mates have now come to expect that kind of performance from the Rovers' legend, because they regard him as the most consistent stopper in the top-flight. This is now almost to the point where it is taken for granted.

Nelsen said to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: 'I think Brad is quite comfortably the best in the Premier League.

'Some of the saves he made against United were unbelievable. Two were just world class, and no other keeper would have made them.

'It's like he's got eight-foot arms and six-foot legs!'

Friedel is now regarded as possibly the best free signign ever as he left Liverpool with a reputation for being a little inconsistent!!!

Since then, Friedel, who clocked up his 183rd consecutive appearance at the weekend, has been a model of consistency, having not missed a game since 2003-2004, establishing himself as one of the greatest men in Rovers' history.

And Nelsen believes the former United States international is that good, it is remarkable Rovers have been able to keep him out of the clutches of the big four' for so long.

The Kiwi said: 'Who am I to judge Brad Friedel? But I think he probably went to Liverpool too early in his career.

'If he'd been to a smaller club first and then later on went there, I think he would have had a fantastic career because he could play for any club in the world - he's that good.

'But I'm just so glad he's behind us, and he's a great professional as well.

'I think he will be remembered at Blackburn for a long time.'

Not half God.